President Halonen to attend main combat exercise in Niinisalo

Office of the President of the Republic of Finland Press Release 9 June 2009

President of the Republic Tarja Halonen will participate in the Finnish Defence Forces' Maanvyöry09 (Landslide09) main combat exercise in Niinisalo on Thursday, 11 June 2009. During her visit President Halonen will inspect the staff of the Pori Brigade and watch exercises staged by a jaeger company and a mechanized infantry battalion.

Finland's Chief of Defence, Admiral Juhani Kaskeala, will also participate in the inspection. Lieutenant General Ilkka Aspara, the Commander of the Finnish Army and the director of the exercise, will serve as host.

The Finnish Defence Forces' main combat exercise will be arranged in different parts of the country on 8-17 June. Up to 18,000 Army, Navy and Air Force personnel will participate in the exercise. About 8,500 soldiers will take part in the exercise in Niinisalo.